TAMPA, Fla. – Kevin Youkilis said a sensible thing on Thursday afternoon. He told a group of reporters that he would “always be a Red Sock,” a reference, he thought, to his nine big-league seasons and two World Series championships in Boston.

“It wasn’t meant to be anything like ‘My heart’s in Boston,’” he said. “Because honestly, it wasn’t there. It’s about ‘My heart’s in New York.’ I’m excited. I’m excited to live in the city. I’m excited about the whole experience. My wife and kids are so pumped up about it.”

He added, “I’m a Yankee today. I’m excited. I’m proud to be a Yankee. I’m proud to be there on Opening Day and play against a team I spent all those seasons with. Trust me: if you my personality and know who I am, it doesn’t matter what team is in my way. I want to beat everyone of them. I want to beat the Red Sox, because I want to start off with a win in Yankee Stadium.”

Also, good news: Youkilis shook hands with former foe Joba Chamberlain this morning. Both said they discussed Chamberlain’s mustache.

“It was fine,” Chamberlain said. “He’s smaller than I thought. I thought he was bigger. Because you don’t really see him that close when you’re on the field, in the uniform. But it was a handshake, ‘good to see you, glad you’re here.’ And he didn’t have a mustache. So he said he was going to grow one. I guess the next competition you guys are going to talk about is our mustaches.”